How to Prepare Yourself for a Dental Emergency

Preparing yourself for a dental emergency is a thought you wouldn’t dream of because it can be pretty terrifying. However, what would you do if that happened to you in your life? Do you have any inkling about what you should be doing? If not, you are recommended to continue reading this article that is providing you information on how to prepare yourself for a dental emergency.

The preparation suggested will help you to maintain a clear mind and remain calm throughout the ordeal. You will have information about the steps you can take to salvage your tooth or teeth and permit you to act quickly without wasting valuable time. Therefore keep reading to learn about how you can be ready if a dental emergency ever occurred with you.

Begin by Keeping a Dental First-Aid Kit Handy with You

During a dental emergency contacting a dentist from emergency dentistry must not be the only thought on your mind. The last thing you want to scramble for is first-aid materials that you may need. A first-aid kit will prove beneficial because it will have everything you need in a small kit. You must have the kit even when traveling as you never know when you may need to provide your teeth some care because of an emergency. The emergency first-aid kit doesn’t have to be packed to the brim but it has been recommended by experts that it should have:

• A tiny container with a lid for storing your tooth on your way to the dentist.
• Gauze to stop bleeding.
• Acetaminophen but not ibuprofen or aspirin as they can act as blood thinners to cause more bleeding.
• The contact information of your dentist.

Keep Your Head Calm before Calling Your Dentist

Many scenarios can be considered as dental emergencies but one of them is not anxiety and therefore attempt to keep calm before calling your dentist for any of the following situations:

Knocked-out Tooth

• If you have a knocked-out tooth, pick it up by the crown and rinse it gently with water to ensure it is clean. The idea is to keep the tooth moist without letting it dry off.
• Attempt to place the tooth gently into the socket after it is clean. You just need to hold it there before trying to bite down on it. However, if you are unable to do so you can use the tiny container from the first-aid kit to soak the tooth in some milk. If you don’t have any milk you can use your saliva, water or keep the tooth into your mouth between the cheeks and the gums or under your tongue.
• Call your dentist immediately and head over to his or her office as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when you have a knocked-out tooth and want it to be placed back into its socket. Try to see your dentist within 30 minutes to have them provide the treatment you need to save your tooth.

Contact Emergency Dentistry for Fractured or Cracked Tooth

Before heading to the dentist in your mouth by rinsing gently with warm water. If you locate any teeth fragments place them in milk or water and take them to the dentist.

Use a cold compress to reduce any swelling if facial trauma is involved.

Use the dental first-aid kit to grab some acetaminophen as a pain reliever. Do not apply any pain killers to your gums as they could burn the tissue.

Loose Teeth in Improper Alignment

• If your tooth is not in its correct position use your finger to apply some pressure without trying to force it back.
• You can even try biting on the tooth instead of using your finger.
• Contact your dentist for an emergency appointment and head over to the clinic as soon as possible.

Always Have a Dentist to Help in Emergencies

If your family dentist is providing emergency service on occasions you must have his or her number on speed dial for dealing with a dental emergency. Your dentist can take the steps needed to save your tooth during the emergency appointment. They can even prevent infection and eliminate the need for surgery to restore your smile just because you weren’t able to reach the dentist on time.

Being in contact with a dentist you can trust is the first step you should be taking when preparing for a dental emergency. If you have information about who you should be turning to in emergency dentistry can mean the difference between saving a tooth or experiencing tooth extraction. It is possible that your family dentist may not be open on Saturday for emergency appointments and therefore you may need to find an emergency backup dentist just in case you need one in a tough situation.